MONYGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Almost 90 percent of Alabama is under drought conditions and for 59 percent of the state the drought is moderate to exceptional.

The U.S. Weather Service's drought monitor shows conditions are the driest in the farming heavy southeast and eastern sections of the state and is threatening crops that need lots of moisture.

Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan said the corn crop is considered a compete loss in some parts of the state. There has been more rain in recent weeks, but McMillan said the worst of the drought hit in late June, a sensitive time for growing corn.

Agriculture experts say the recent rain has not been nearly enough to catch up in an area which has seen rainfall deficits annually in many of the past 10 to 15 years.

AP-WF-07-21-12 1435GMT